Apr 19, 2016

There are various caregiver services in Illinoisfor
elderly people who are in need of home care assistance. Through this, your
loved ones can receive the care and support that they need in the comfort of
their own homes. A caregiver can accompany your aging loved ones to their
medical appointments, assist them with basic tasks around the house, or provide
companionship. It’s truly beneficial for your elderly parents!

Despite this, remember to be careful when hiring a caregiver; after all, they will be spending plenty of time with your loved
ones. It’s important to choose someone who will wholeheartedly care for your
aging parents’ well-being. That said, here are some tips for hiring caregivers.

Gauging
Your Loved One’s Needs

The very reason why you’re hiring a home care
agency is because your loved ones are in need of assistance. Therefore, do not
forget to assess your loved ones’ needs before anything else. Health professionals
have various specializations; for instance, you might find that a caregiver
who’s adept at housekeeping duties is not proficient in medical-related
assistance or vice versa. Evaluating your elderly parents’ needs will help you
identify the type of health professional that would suit them best.

Do Some
Background Check

It is okay to be picky about the caregiver you
hire. Since that person is bound to spend a large amount of time with your
parents, it’s paramount that you choose only the best. Before hiring anyone,
make sure to do some background checks. Checks the health professional’s past
employment and try calling the references that he or she might have listed. It
would be better if you hire an agency instead since they are usually thorough
about background checks. Since home care agencies have reputations to uphold,
it’s likely that they will be strict with their hiring process.

Make a
Query About the Training Process

The training is an important part of being a
caregiver. Unlike most family caregivers, agency health professionals undergo
certain trainings and certifications to help them hone the skills needed to be
excellent caregivers. Before hiring a home care agency, make sure to inquire
about how they prepare their health professionals. You should also inquire if
the agency provides further trainings in the future – continuous training
allows caregivers to refine their skills through time and allows the agency to
equip them with additional information based on new developments in the
industry. This ensures that the agency’s home care service is top-notch!

Meet the
Potential Caregiver in Person

It is important to schedule a meeting with a
potential caregiver before hiring him or her. This will help you determine if
he or she is compatible with your loved ones. Most of the time, compatibility
is more important than skills, training, or certifications because it
determines how harmonious the caregiver-patient relationship will be. If the
health professional does not seem like a good match with your elderly parents,
don’t hesitate to meet with other candidates who might be more compatible with
your aging loved ones.

Hiring a caregiver can be a grueling task; there
are plenty of things to consider in order to find the right candidate. Follow
the tips above to make your search as easy and hassle-free as possible!

About the Blogger

Sue Reyes is
a former writer for CNN Philippines and Aspiring Fashion Blogger